This assessment overview follows the DPS guidelines for IEP Educational PLAAFP reporting - the following data is reported within Component 2 (Evaluations & BOE)
Screening Data
Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA2) (given by general educators, 1:1, data found in Teacher Portal) The DRA-2 is a standardized test given twice a year to elementary students that measures their growth in reading fluency and comprehension.
(given by general educators, data found in Teacher Portal)
The SRI is a research-based, standardized, timed online assessment measuring reading comprehension. A CLOZE-type assessment, the SRI requires the ability to understand context and vocabulary in order to identify the correct words or type of words that belong in the deleted passages of a text.
(given by general educators, data found in Teacher Portal)
The Star is a research-based, standardized online assessment measuring approximate reading level. Timed - taken individually on the computer in the computer lab. Scores below the 12th %ile are considered significantly below grade level.
STAR Early Literacy Assessment
(given by general educators, data found in Teacher Portal)
The Star Early Literacy Assessment analyzes the skills necessary for reading, and range from 0 to 100. The domains assessed include: General Readiness, Grapho-phonemic Knowledge, Phonemic Awareness, Comprehension, Phonics, Vocabulary, Structural Analysis.
STAR Link
Colorado English Language Acquisition Proficiency Assessment (CELA) (given by trained individuals in your building in the Winter, data found in Teacher Portal... next year it will be WIDA, not CELA) The Colorado English Language Acquisition Proficiency Assessment (CELA) is designed to provide a picture of students English Language Development. The primary purpose of the assessment program is to determine the level at which Colorado NEP and LEP students meet the Colorado English Language Development Standards in four domains; Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Proficiency bands are broken into 5 levels; A- Advanced (5), P- Proficient (4), I- Intermediate (3), EI- Early Intermediate (2), B - Beginner (1).
DPS CELA Link
Curriculum Based Measurements (CBMs) at GRADE LEVEL (given by special educators - sometimes by interventionists, rarely by general educators)
more about CBMs...
Diagnostic Data
Norm Referenced Testing
(given by Special Educators when parent permission is given to test)
There are several district approved norm referenced (targeted) assessments, used to determine level of academic performance compared to typical peers. For the purpose of IEP reports, age level data should be used for evaluative purposes, and grade level norms may be briefly noted. Parent permission must be obtained by the Special Educator, before administering these assessment tools. Scores at or below the 12th percentile may represent a significant academic skill deficit.
Pages 3 and 4 of the DPS pdf below provide a comprehensive list of Norm Referenced Assessments:
Curriculum Based Measurements (CBMs) at INSTRUCTIONAL LEVEL (given by Special Educators)
more about CBMs...
Outcome Data- State and District Achievement Tests
Denver Public Schools Interims (given in the general ed, data found in Teacher Portal) District Interim Assessments are criterion referenced measures that assess student performance, with respect to grade level end-of-year expectations. Tests administered in the Spring determine if grade level performance has been achieved, while Fall testing scores should be interpreted with caution, as they measure how much the student already can do on the END of the grade level expectations. Proficiency bands are broken into 4 levels; A- Advanced, P- Proficient, PP - Partially Proficient, U - Unsatisfactory.
The Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) < up until 2011, referred to as Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) > (given in the general ed in March, data found in Teacher Portal) TCAP/CSAP is the state mandated, proctored, timed, and standardized achievement assessment. It is used to determine the level at which Colorado students meet the Colorado Model Content Standards in the content areas assessed. Proficiency bands are broken into 4 levels; A- Advanced, P- Proficient, PP - Partially Proficient, U - Unsatisfactory. Administered beginning in 3rd grade.
Sample Template PLAAFP for an eligibility -> Sample Template PLAAFP for an annual ->
the following data is reported within Component 2 (Evaluations & BOE)
Screening Data
Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA2)(given by general educators, 1:1, data found in Teacher Portal)
The DRA-2 is a standardized test given twice a year to elementary students that measures their growth in reading fluency and comprehension.
Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI)
(given by general educators, data found in Teacher Portal)
The SRI is a research-based, standardized, timed online assessment measuring reading comprehension. A CLOZE-type assessment, the SRI requires the ability to understand context and vocabulary in order to identify the correct words or type of words that belong in the deleted passages of a text.
STAR Reading Assessment
(given by general educators, data found in Teacher Portal)
The Star is a research-based, standardized online assessment measuring approximate reading level. Timed - taken individually on the computer in the computer lab. Scores below the 12th %ile are considered significantly below grade level.
STAR Early Literacy Assessment
(given by general educators, data found in Teacher Portal)
The Star Early Literacy Assessment analyzes the skills necessary for reading, and range from 0 to 100. The domains assessed include: General Readiness, Grapho-phonemic Knowledge, Phonemic Awareness, Comprehension, Phonics, Vocabulary, Structural Analysis.
Colorado English Language Acquisition Proficiency Assessment (CELA)
(given by trained individuals in your building in the Winter, data found in Teacher Portal... next year it will be WIDA, not CELA)
The Colorado English Language Acquisition Proficiency Assessment (CELA) is designed to provide a picture of students English Language Development. The primary purpose of the assessment program is to determine the level at which Colorado NEP and LEP students meet the Colorado English Language Development Standards in four domains; Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Proficiency bands are broken into 5 levels; A- Advanced (5), P- Proficient (4), I- Intermediate (3), EI- Early Intermediate (2), B - Beginner (1).
Curriculum Based Measurements (CBMs) at GRADE LEVEL
(given by special educators - sometimes by interventionists, rarely by general educators)
Diagnostic Data
Norm Referenced Testing
(given by Special Educators when parent permission is given to test)
There are several district approved norm referenced (targeted) assessments, used to determine level of academic performance compared to typical peers. For the purpose of IEP reports, age level data should be used for evaluative purposes, and grade level norms may be briefly noted. Parent permission must be obtained by the Special Educator, before administering these assessment tools. Scores at or below the 12th percentile may represent a significant academic skill deficit.Pages 3 and 4 of the DPS pdf below provide a comprehensive list of Norm Referenced Assessments:
Curriculum Based Measurements (CBMs) at INSTRUCTIONAL LEVEL
(given by Special Educators)
Outcome Data - State and District Achievement Tests
Denver Public Schools Interims
(given in the general ed, data found in Teacher Portal)
District Interim Assessments are criterion referenced measures that assess student performance, with respect to grade level end-of-year expectations. Tests administered in the Spring determine if grade level performance has been achieved, while Fall testing scores should be interpreted with caution, as they measure how much the student already can do on the END of the grade level expectations. Proficiency bands are broken into 4 levels; A- Advanced, P- Proficient, PP - Partially Proficient, U - Unsatisfactory.
The Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP)
< up until 2011, referred to as Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) >
(given in the general ed in March, data found in Teacher Portal)
TCAP/CSAP is the state mandated, proctored, timed, and standardized achievement assessment. It is used to determine the level at which Colorado students meet the Colorado Model Content Standards in the content areas assessed. Proficiency bands are broken into 4 levels; A- Advanced, P- Proficient, PP - Partially Proficient, U - Unsatisfactory. Administered beginning in 3rd grade.
Sample Template PLAAFP for an eligibility ->
Sample Template PLAAFP for an annual ->